Manu Bennett is a New Zealand-born actor best known for his role as Crixus in the television drama "Spartacus." Born on October 10, 1969, he is the son of a singer father and a model mother. Shortly after his birth, his family moved from New Zealand to Australia, where he was raised. Bennett has at times been credited under names such as John Bennett and Jon Bennett, although “Manu” remains the name by which he is most widely recognized.
Bennett received his primary and secondary education in Australia. Later, he returned to New Zealand to attend Te Aute College, an institution known for its strong emphasis on Māori culture and leadership development. Afterward, he moved back to Australia and enrolled at the New South Wales School of Performing Arts. During his time there, he was selected for the school's rugby team but chose to leave sports behind to pursue his growing passion for dance.
His dedication to the performing arts led him to study dance and drama at university. Recognizing his potential, Bennett was awarded a scholarship to study at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in Los Angeles. This training played a pivotal role in shaping his acting skills and preparing him for a professional career in the entertainment industry.
Bennett has faced significant personal hardships. In an interview, he shared that he lost both his parents in a car accident, during which he himself was seriously injured and fell into a coma for over two weeks. He credited his then-girlfriend with helping him during this difficult time, providing the emotional support that eventually led him back to acting—a career he found deeply fulfilling.
His first break came through the Australian teen television series "Paradise Beach," which brought him early exposure and popularity. He went on to appear in a number of TV dramas including "Beastmaster" and "All Saints." Bennett also took part in the adaptation of "Lady Chatterley's Lover," portraying the character Oliver Mellors.
| Birth Date: | 10 Oct, 1969 |
| Age: | 50 yrs |
| Occupations: | Actor Film actor Model Television actor |
| Citizenship: | New Zealand Australia |
| Birth Place: | Auckland |
| Education: | Te Aute College |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | New Zealand actor |
| Twitter Id: | Manubennett |
| Net Worth 2021: | 1.5 million |
